Christmas in July- Advent Calendar

I love Christmas more than should be allowed by law.  It is my favorite time of year.  I always try to push the envelope and put the tree up a little earlier and earlier.  I usually start working on Christmas about this time of year because that's the only way I will finish half of what I would love to accomplish.  Last year I was out doing some back to school shopping at Staples when I found 15 of these little babies.

Even better they were on clearance for 50 CENTS each.  I immediately thought they would make an amazing advent calendar.  However as I mentioned there were only 15.   I left for the next nearest Staples immediately.  After the 30 minute drive I was very disappointed to find there were NONE there.  BOO!  Oh well I figured I could find some on the Internet, and headed home.   I had one small problem I have to this day no idea what these are called.  Do you?  Feel free to enlighten me if you can.  So then I had to figure out another option.  Nothing a little trip to the Hobby Lobby couldn't fix. So off I went to the Lobby and found these little gems.

They are just your basic paper mache boxes, but they are roughly the same size and worked perfectly.  I was ready to get started.  I knew what I wanted, but I wasn't too sure how to accomplish it. 

First I decorated the boxes. 

The metal boxes were easy.

I simply cut strips of

scrapbook paper

 to cover the sides... 

Then I cut a matching circle for the top.

 I found several different shapes in the paper mache boxes.  Then I painted them, and even wrapped a few like gifts.  You can do so many different things with them.  It's really just whatever you like. 

Then I added some magnets to the back. 

Of course I needed some Zebra stripes.  ;)

Last but not least I had to have some kind of metal board to hang them on.  I knew just the man to call.  You guessed it, DEAR OLD DAD.  I described what I wanted and he whipped up a framed sheet of galvanized sheet metal.  It was perfect.  I painted the frame white, and added candy stripes with red vinyl.

 Add all the boxes and VIOLA!

 

 I love this Advent Calendar!

The best part is all the options.  Last year we added all sorts of goodies for the boys to enjoy.  We had candy, movie tickets, a card good for pictures with Santa, and dinner at each of the boys favorite places. 

What would you put in there?

 

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